Harry Downes

Who was Harry Downes?

Henry J. "Harry" Downes was an American football player and coach. An All-American at Boston College, his playing career ended in 1931 due to injury suffered against Holy Cross. In 1935, Downes became Boston College's head coach after Dinny McNamara resigned due to illness after four games. At the age of 25, he became one of he youngest head coaches in the history of college football. After going 3–2 in the remaining five games, he was replaced the next season by Gil Dobie and demoted to assistant coach. In 1937, Downes became head football coach at Quincy High School in Quincy, Massachusetts. From 1938 until his death in 1970, he was head coach at Brookline High School. The football field at Brookline High was named in honor of him, however in 2006 the name was changed to the Kraft Family Athletic Facility at Harry Downes Field after New England Patriots owner and BHS alumnus Robert Kraft donated $400,000 toward the renovation of the field and encouraged the National Football League to donate an additional $200,000 to the project.